Alika Williams
Breakdown
Performance
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July 8, 2026
On bench for third straight game
Williams is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.
Analysis
After starting at shortstop for nine straight games, Williams has now been left out of the lineup for each of the Athletics' ensuing three contests. The slick-fielding Williams looks to have shifted into a utility role in the wake of Jacob Wilson's return from the injured list earlier this week in addition to the hot-hitting Joshua Kuroda-Grauer's emergence as a regular in the Athletics' infield.
July 5, 2026
Heading to bench Sunday
Williams is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins.
Analysis
Williams will move to the bench for the series finale after he had started at shortstop in the Athletics' last nine games while going 9-for-32 (.281 average) with a home run and a 1:12 BB:K. The Athletics will go with Joshua Kuroda-Grauer at shortstop after the 23-year-old has opened his time in the big leagues by going 8-for-18 with an RBI and three runs through his first five games. Williams is regarded as the better defender of the two, but Kuroda-Grauer brings more offensive upside to the table and could emerge as the preferred option at shortstop until Jacob Wilson (thumb) is ready to return from the injured list.